Click image for larger versionPrior to 1800, Robert Lathan/Leathan
emigrated to Charleston, S.C. After staying one year in Williamsburg County,
S.C., he moved to Lancaster County, S.C. and then settled in Fairfield County,
S.C. in the Wateree section near what is now known as White Oak. His land transactions
are recorded in the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History in Columbia under Fairfield
County Deeds on microfilm rolls C307 (Vol. II, pp. 29-31, 123-124 and Vol. LL,
pp. 507-510), C303 (Vol. U, pp. 270-271,276-277), and 158 (Vol. LL, p. 317).
After the death of his wife, he moved to Tipton County, TN, to live with his
daughter, Sara McLerkin.

"In memory of Robt.
Lathan who departed this life Feb. 15, 1842 in the 83
year of his age.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea sayeth the
Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them"
(Revelation 14:13)

Note: Photos of these tombstones
are posted on this site. Click "Photos" page then "Thumbnails
2"
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Tombstone Inscriptions in the Lathan Cemetery
near White Oak, S.C.
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1- Sacred to the memory of Nancy Lathan, daughter of Robert and Agnes Lathan
who departed this life August 25th 1832 aged 24 years 11 months & 13 Days.

2-Sacred to the memory
of William Lathan son of Robt and Agnes Lathan who
departed this life Dec 18 1831 aged 29 years 6 months & 11 days.

3- Sacred to the memory
John Lathan who departed this life the 22nd March
1849 aged 55 years 2 months and 16 days. He was justly esteemed as a
husband, a father, a christian & a ruling elder in the Church of Christ
"Blessed are the dead who dies in the Lord"

4- Sacred to the memory
of Agnes Lathan wife of Robert Lathan who departed
this life May 27 1829 aged 63 years & 10 months

5- Sacred to the memory
of Jane C Lathan dau. of Robert & Agnes Lathan who
departed this life May 4 1829 aged 17 years 4 months & 4 days

6- Sacred to the memory
of Mary Lathan daughter of Robert & Agnes Lathan
died Sept 10 1805 aged 5 years, 6 months & 18 days

7- In memory of David J.
Young born July 5 1818 and died Oct 16 1848
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Map to Cemetery and Tombstone Photos
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There is an image of a map to the Lathan Cemetery in Fairfield County, S.C.
and photos of the tombstones. To view this map and photos go to the "Photo"
page and then the "Historic Thumbnails" page.

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Notes by website writer:
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I believe it may be interesting to explore exactly why, how and with whom this
emigration took place. I have found a number references to Robert filing for
citizenship in both Chester and Fairfield Districts. I hope to explore this
in more detail if and when I get to personally explore the South Carolina Archives
in Columbia.

However, I may already
have part of the how, and with whom. There is a reference on page 73 of the
Fairfield County Court Records (Wills) stating Robert Lathan was mentioned in
the will of Samuel Waugh. He also was a witness to the recording of this will
on 21 Oct. 1794. It would be interesting to dig out the relationship between
Robert Lathan and Samuel Waugh as Robert Lathan's Mother was a Peggy Waugh of
Ireland. Also interesting, is the fact that a John Waugh was a buyer at the
estate sale of Samuel Waugh on 10 April 1795. So about the time that Robert
Lathan emigrated the Waughs were apparently settled in South Carolina and had
established at least a small estate. Perhaps the Waughs were at least part of
the draw upon Robert Lathan which brought him to America.

South Carolina South Carolina
South Carolina
Fairfield District To the honorable David R. Evans

The humble petition of
Robert Leathen - Showeth - That your petition was born in Ireland a subject
of the King of great Britain, that he immigrated to this country, landed in
Charleston on the fifth of December 1788 and hath continued to reside in the
state aforesaid ever since that time, that it is his bonafide intention to become
a citizen of the United States of America, and that he has resided at least
five years previous to this time in this state within the limits and under the
jurisdiction of the United State and one year at least in this State.

April 14th 1812 Your petitioner
therefore prays your honor that he may be made a citizen
Agreeable to the act of Congress of the United States in such case made
And provided

(signed Robt Lathan

Page 2

We the subscribers do hereby
certify that Robert Leathen who now petitions to be made a citizen has resided
twenty years previous to this time within the limits of the United States and
at least one year within the limits of this State and that he has behaved himself
as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution
of the United States and well desposed to the good order and happenings of the
________(unreadable).
14 April 1812
(signed Saml. Johnston)
( Mathew Johnston)
( William Boyls)

Page 3

(signed and written sideways
on the page as an outer sheet when folded in thirds to go in an envelope)

Robert Lathan
Petition for
Citizenship ---
April Term 1812
D.R. Evans Judge

Certificate made out &
Delivered to petitioner

$4. Fees paid in _______(unreadable)

Page 4

South Carolina At a court
of common pleas holden
Fairfield District at Fairfield Court house on the third

Monday after the fourth
Monday in March in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve
and in the thirty sixth year of AMERICAN independence, Robert Leathen being
sworn, upon his oath declareth and says that it is his bonafide intention to
become a Citizen of the United States that he has resided __________(unreadable)
years previous to this time within the limits and under the jurisdiction of
this State and that he does abj___(unreadable) and forever renounce all allegiance
and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty whatever
and particularly to George the third King of great Britain to whom he was a
subject and that he will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the
United States and of this State and that he is attached to the principles of
the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and
happiness of the same-----

Another
set of citizenship papers for Robert Lathan dated, Oct. 24, 1832, exist but
appear to be for a different but possibly related man. If related the man must
have been a close cousin. This is confirmed by research done by Chris Russell
(contact me for his Email
address). According to his research this Robert Lathan born in Belfast in
1793 and came to the U.S. in 1819. His father was named William Lathan. His
mother's name is unknown by Mr. Russell. This Robert Lathan married Margaret
McClintock sometime before 1823. This line left the Chester/Fairfield County
area sometime before March 6, 1846, when the birth of Grandson took place in
Indiana.

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TRANSCRIPTION
OF
A DEED FOR LAND
PURCHASED
BY
ROBERT LATHAN
IN
1796
(Earliest land deed discovered for Robert Lathan)
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South Carolina. This Indenture Made the 4 day of august in the year of our Lord.
One thousand Seven hundred and ninety Six and of the Soveriegnity and indipendance
of america the twentieth. Between Alexander McDowel, Senior of Fairfield County,
Camden District and State aforesaid of the one part and Robert Lathan of the
County District and State aforesaid of the other part. Witness that Said Alexander
McDowel for the Consideration of the Sum of Fifty Pounds Sterling hath Granted
bargained told released Conveyd and Confirm asaid by these presents doth Grant
Bargained told an hath release Convey and Confirm unto the Said Robert Lathan
in ___ actual posession now by virtue of a bargain and Sale to him therein made
for one year by and Indenture of Lease Bearing date the day next Before the
day of the date of these presents and by force of theStatute for transferring
uses into posession and to his heirs and _____ Forever all that tract of Land
Containing one hundred and fifty acres being part of a tract Containing two
hundred and fifty acres Situated and being on a Branch of Wateree Creek in the
County aforesaid bounded to the North East on McLeans Land Southward on Hugh
Smiths Land on all other Sides on Land at that time Vacant and the Land Shape
Form and marks as appears by a plat that to the ______ a_____ which Grant was
Given unto _____ _______ ________ ____________ S C in and over these provinces
aforesaid and the ____ Great Seal of the Said province bearing date the 17th
day of March AD 1775 duly Recorded in the Secretaries office in Book WW(?) _____
page 342 Reference being thereunto had will morefully appear together with all
and singular the rights members and appurtinasices whatsoever to the Said tract
of one hundred and fifty acres Belonging or in any wise appertaining and the
reversion and versions remainder and Rents _____ and protects thereof _____
all Estates rights titles interest posession profit ____ and _____ whatsoever
there in Law or Equity of hierthertosaid Land tract of one hundred acres of
Land hereby Granted and released __ Intended to be thereby Granted and Released
with their and every of their appurtinances unto the Said Robert Lathan his
heirs and assigns forever and the the said Alexander McDowel his heir and Every
of them the Said tract of one hundred and fifty acres of Land with their appurtinances
unto the Said Robert Lathan his heir and asigns against ___the Said McDowel
his hers and Every of them and all other persons or persons whatsoever Claiming
onto ______ from under him them or any of them Shall __________ warrant and
forever Defend By these presents _____________________ where of I have hereunto
Set my hand and Seal this _______ date and year above written Signed Sealed
and Delivered ________

______________ appeared
before me Jas Wright and made oath as the________________ that he was personal
present and Said the within __________ represents for the witness written purposed
unto Robert ______________ _______ said the said McDowel sign the above Receipt
___________ ____________ money within mentioned and also said Alex. ______________________________
self the Deposant
____________________________________________ March 179__
______________________(bad copy quality) of the ___________________
__________________________(bad copy quality) being the full Consider-
________________________________(bad copy quality) _____ present
(one or more lines unreadable-these and the above were black apparently due
to a copier problem)